The very best from the world of smooth jazz and classic soul.

August 22, 2008

Brian Culbertson Headlines The Gatsby Jazz Festival

On Saturday, August 30, 2008, at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club, Barbecue Club Entertainment will present the Gatsby Jazz Festival. Inspired by F. Scott Fitzgerald’s immortal classic, this inaugural “white linen & lawn” event features a dazzling array of contemporary jazz talent that includes Brian Culbertson, Gerald Albright and keyboard player extraordinaire Marcus Johnson. Culbertson is having quite a year with his brand new CD ‘Bringing Back The Funk’ while Albright is doing similarly well with ‘Sax For Stax’. The lineup will be completed by eight piece Latin jazz band The LA Mambo Combo and the excellent Himalaya whose first album, ‘Friend to Friend’, has recently been re-released. Word is that a second CD is in the works for later in 2008.

Access to the Polo & Racquet Club grounds will be from 3pm with the first performance scheduled for 5pm. In addition to the anticipated musical extravaganza the festival will include fine Creole-Cajun cuisine, cigars hand-crafted by the Cuban Master Rollers of Payne-Mason and fine wines from Fat Cat Cellars. Proceeds will benefit both the Santa Barbara Boys and Girls Club and the Ventura Music Festival.

Held under the stars, general admission is priced at $40.00, premium box seats at $100.00 and Platinum VIP Seats’ at $200.00. Attendees are encouraged to fully immerse themselves in the experience by wearing the event dress code of white linen attire or, at least, something indicative of the Gatsby era. For more information visit www.gatsbyjazzfestival.com